Please enjoy this guest post by Bonnie Hillman Shay
Americans celebrate the Fourth of July as the date our forefathers and foremothers acknowledged their liberation from the King of England. As the Declaration of Independence states, you are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of a clutter free environment. Okay, so I took a little liberty with that quote, but if you are being held back by the clutter in your home/office, free yourself of all unnecessary items. You will truly feel unshackled.
Why De-clutter?
- “Messes” distract you from your goals.
- Every item we own takes time out of our lives, so the less stuff you hold on to, the more time you will have to do what you want.
- Clear spaces (e.g., counters, nightstands, closets, cabinets) provide visual peace and calm.
Stay Objective When Deciding What to Keep or Let go
Ask yourself the following questions about any object/email/photo you are deciding whether to keep or “let go”. The answers will help you stay objective about the item.
- Do you need it?
- Do you use it?
- Do you love it?
- Is it irreplaceable?
If you answer NO to all of the questions, out it goes. If you answer YES to all of the questions, it most likely stays. In between items you will figure out whether the item stays or goes.
And if these questions don’t give you a clear cut answer, try asking yourself “What is the worst that could happen if I let go of this item” instead of asking yourself “What if I need this someday”. Chances are the worst thing isn’t so bad.
How to Organize What You Decide to Keep:
Now that you have lightened your load, be intentional about where you store items.
Prime Real Estate:
The spaces most easily reached should be filled with items that you use frequently (e.g., coffee for breakfast, socks or favorite skillet). The items that you infrequently use (e.g., punch bowl, Christmas tree holder or overnight camp supplies) are put in less accessible spaces.
Centralize:
Keep like things together so you will more easily remember where to look for such items (e.g., all batteries or all light bulbs). There are some exceptions to this rule (e.g., toilet paper in each bathroom). Make the “finding” and putting away efforts as easy as possible for yourself.
Leave Space:
Don’t fill cabinets, drawers and closets to their maximum capacity so you can more easily reach things. White space also provides you with visual peace and calm when you open your drawers, cabinets and closets.
Sure ways to be successful:
Start with the easy stuff first. You want to gain momentum and see progress. If you get stumped, move on and come back to it.
- Set a timer for 30 minutes and play “beat the clock.” Have fun with it!
- Celebrate your successes. You can do it!
Enjoy a wonderful Independence Day!
This guest post is by Bonnie Hillman Shay, a professional organizer. Contact her at Bonnie@MariposaCreativeSolutions.com, or visit her site MariposaCreativeSolutions.com
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC